2 Epic Concerts in One Night

If you are a country music fan, Friday night was a tough decision as two iconic country women took to two different stages in Nashville.

At the Ryman, Dolly Parton (who hasn’t played at the Ryman in over a decade) took to the stage for the first of two sold out concerts benefitting the W.O. Smith Music School and the Opry Fund. The first show took place on Friday night selling out so quickly that a second show was added for Saturday night which also sold out in minutes.

We were there when Dolly Parton answered a few questions from the media. She told us how “the old Ryman didn’t even have an air conditioner. There was one dressing room for the boys, one dressing room for the girls. We’d almost get in fist fights trying to get a spot in the mirror, you know how girls are, but anyway, it’s air conditioned now but it still has that same old feeling. But I just love this place. It is the mother church of country music because it used to be a tabernacle as you well know, so there’s just something sacred about it.”

What took Dolly so long to come back and play at the Ryman? She said,”When I am at home, I just want to be at the house. I felt like not that many people would want to come see me.”

Recently Dolly Parton opened a new resort. When asked if she ever rides the roller coasters at Dollywood? She gave us a resounding “No, I get a little motion sickness.”

Dolly Parton has several projects with a new children’s album along with a movie that will be out in time for the holidays.

Just down the street at the Bridgestone Arena, Shania Twain took to the stage after an 11 year absence. Shania Twain made her stop in Nashville for the Rock This Country Tour beginning her show in a red sequin short jumpsuit with a black fringe jacket along with her signature black thigh high boots holding a red mic. And she is now a blonde! The crowd went crazy and continued to stand throughout the entire concert.

At one point, Twain said, “I really do feel like I’m coming back home when I’m here.” As Twain was ready to introduce “Party for Two,” she lost her place stating, “I think I’m just overwhelmed being here- I’m nervous.”

Why fans love Shania? She heard a fan in the audience say it was her birthday so she stops her set to sing “Happy Birthday!” And then proclaims, how cute the audience member is in her leopard outfit.

Another highlight of the show was when Twain sang, “For up!” as she sat on a saddle that lifted out of the catwalk into the air over the audience.

Twain pulled out all the stops for a major production with lasers, moving stages, and plumes of flame to which the audience could feel the heat at several points in the show. There were also video backdrops that rotated. Twain fans heard all of the 90’s classic songs,”Honey, I’m Home,” “You Win My Love,” “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” and closing with “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

Twain has announced this is her final tour but she plans to cut a new album sometime next year.

Donna is one of those former corporate types (Xerox) who wanted to try something new. She went from marketing to blogger and now Style Editor, and is always on the lookout for what’s trending in restaurants, new stores, charity events, and entertainment. To keep up the pace, Donna is usually found drinking at least one Cold Brew coffee a day or on a busy day make it two. Contact me at donna.vissman@williamsonsource.com.